Cooper Flagg Already Earning Jason Kidd’s Trust in the Clutch - Even While Sidelined
DALLAS - Cooper Flagg might be sidelined with an ankle injury, but his impact on the Mavericks’ season is still front and center - just ask Jason Kidd. Ahead of Saturday’s matchup with the Utah Jazz, the Mavs head coach didn’t hesitate when asked about his team’s performance in tight games this season.
His answer? It starts with the 19-year-old rookie.
“When you have Cooper Flagg, it makes clutch games a little bit easier,” Kidd said pregame. “Just understanding we practice these moments in practice… In some of these close games, we've been able to have success, but some of them we've lost. Both scenarios we can learn from.”
That’s high praise from a coach who knows a thing or two about rising to the moment. And Flagg, even in his first NBA season, has already shown he’s built for the pressure.
Through his clutch-time appearances this year, Flagg is averaging nearly three points per game while shooting a sharp 48 percent from the field. That may not sound like headline-grabbing production at first glance, but when you zoom in on the context - tight games, high stakes, and a 19-year-old navigating NBA defenses like a seasoned pro - it’s clear why Kidd is so confident with Flagg on the floor late in games.
Clutch minutes are where rookies typically struggle. The pace slows, defensive intensity ramps up, and every possession is magnified.
But Flagg has looked comfortable, poised, and - maybe most importantly - unafraid. That kind of mental makeup is rare, especially this early in a career.
Unfortunately for Dallas, they’ll have to face Utah on Saturday without him. Flagg’s ankle injury will keep him out of the lineup, and while the Mavericks handled the Jazz with relative ease in their last meeting - a 144-122 win on Thursday - back-to-back wins in the NBA are never guaranteed, especially without one of your most reliable late-game options.
Still, this game offers Dallas a chance to build some momentum in a season that’s had its fair share of ups and downs. The Mavs have shown flashes of being a real threat, but consistency has been elusive. A second straight win over Utah would be a step in the right direction, even if Flagg has to cheer this one on from the bench.
Tip-off is set for 5 PM EST at the American Airlines Center.